Acadia University’s student newspaper since 1874. November 5 , 2013 Issue 76.5
Can you live with your lease? P 8-9
the Athenaeum
www.theath.ca
2
Al Whittle: The man about town How have you felt being in Wolfville and how Acadia has played into your memory of living here? Well in 1955 I was asked to be an Usher at the graduation, and because it was in the morning I agreed. It was Freddy Miles that was in charge then and he asked if I wanted to be the head usher since he was graduating. I thought… well… okay; I’ll go along with it [laughs]. It started that year, and I did 75 graduations in all, I thought 75 had a nice ring to it and I stopped.
Jacob Dawe Staff Writer Acadia has always stood as a unique institution for the small community created and fostered on campus. There are places and people that have legends and myths associated with them, and close to everyone on campus has heard whisperings of them at some point. One particular person stands out though, almost every single person at Acadia in decades has at some point come across this man: Al from meal hall. Al was one of the first people I met when I came to Acadia 4 years ago and has been a permanent part of my experience, but I realized I knew nothing about him. Was he the Al Whittle from the theatre in town? How long has he been working at meal hall? How long has he been in Wolfville? These are just some of the things that I wanted to get to the bottom of when I sat down to have a chat with Al in his theatre. When did you come to Wolfville? April 1953, I came to manage the Acadia Cinema here. I was the youngest theatre manger in Canada. How does the youngest theatre manger title sit with you? Back when I became manger in 53, mangers were usually much older, usually forty-ish. A more mature type was usually picked. I never thought of it in the fashion of special, I always wanted to work in the theatre and had my mind set on manager. I started in Amherst in 47 for four years, was sent to Charlottetown for two and then to Truro for six weeks. Then I was sent here, and it has been my permanent place I guess. [laughs] Speaking of permanent place, how long were you theatre manager h e r e at the Acadia Cinema? 47 years.
Erin Anderson Most of the people at Acadia know you from your meal hall position, when did you get that position and how? Let’s see… I started the job in 1960 which makes this my 54th year there I suppose. Back then it was just the dining hall, back in those days you had an hour to eat and that’s all. The University asked me to come aboard, and after talking it over with my boss in Saint John he said to do it, if I wanted to. I was sitting out front and they asked if I wanted a job… Why? I couldn’t tell you. [laughs] Do you think the Acadia Cinema/Al Whittle theatre here share a unique relationship with Acadia? Oh definitely! Definitely, because when I came into town the theatre was the only entertainment available, no taverns or lounges. The theatre was the place of entertainment, ever since it has been converted into the place it is now it has remained
a strong center for activity. In the past you have had special events and promotions when you ran the theatre, could you tell us about those? In 1964 Pyjama Party was released, and we offered a special promotion for those who in came in pyjamas, free admission. We were always looking for new ways to promote, and this time it was to come in pyjamas.
Were there any more events? Well if you remember the movie Animal House, when it came out Chipman House took over the event. They invited everyone with big positions from the University to come. They came dressed to the nine’s, pulled up in limo’s. It was quite an event… But it wasn’t as much fun as pyjama party. [laughs]
It was a flaming success! At the first showing, when you saw the girls coming over the hill wearing what looked like dresses, but were really pyjamas rolled up, and with them were men in night dresses… you could never forget it.
What is your fondest memory of your time running the theatre? I’m not sure if there is any major one, it was a job I loved. I enjoyed it from the time I got there to set up, to the time when we cleaned up and closed for the night, seven nights a week.
production staff
contributors
You have obviously seen a huge amount of student population, have we changed over time? Changed? Changed with the times, yes. I don’t really notice much of a drastic change, but getting the chance to see kids who are the children of students that worked for me when the Exorcist came out… well it’s strange. I imagine so, to wrap up here and take a side avenue of questions, what would you say is your favourite movie? I enjoyed Alfred Hitchcock’s Rebecca, his first American movie. Final question here, what would you like to say to the students about yourself ? …Well… I would like just like to say, thank you for being my friend. Thank you so much Al, not only for your time in the interview, for everything. I hope this can provide a bit more insight on perhaps the most constant and wise part of the Acadia experience. I know we all shall see you very soon.
the athenaeum Tuesday, November 5, 2013 Issue 76.5 ASU Box 6002, Acadia University Wolfville, NS, Canada B4P 2R5
editorial staff
Editor-in-Chief News Editor
Creative Editor Opinions Editor
email: eic@acadiau.ca SUB room 512 EIC Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays 4:00-5:30 Managing Editor Hours: Tuesdays 5:30-7:30
Arts Editor Sports Editor Science Editor
Iain Bauer
eic@acadiau.ca
Jacob Verhagen
Managing Editor
athnewseditor@acadiau.ca
Mira Chiasson
athcreativeeditor@acadiau.ca
Distribution Manager
Max Boulet
athopinionseditor@acadiau.ca
Deirdre Campbell
athartseditor@acadiau.ca
Eliza McGuire
athsportseditor@acadiau.ca
Niraj Nitheanandan
athscienceeditor@acadiau.ca
Production Manager Photo Editor Copy Editor Ad Manager
photo credits
Stephanie Gumuchian
Stephanie Brown, Mandy BuntenWalberg Emily Kennedy, Sara Nelson, Angus Bauer Grace Blyss, Hailey Winder, Jacob Dawe, Sarah Mackinnon, Sarah Williams, Peter LaMarre, Jack Golding, Kelsi Barr, Ceileigh Mangalam, Rachel Houlton Rebecca Glenen
athmanagingeditor@acadiau.ca
Nathan Kaulback
athphotoeditor@acadiau.ca
If you would like to contribute to the Athenaeum please contact Iain Bauer (eic@acadiau.ca) or Stephanie Gumuchian Mark Pound (athmanagingeditor@acadiau.ca) mark.pound@gmail.com Stephanie Bethune
Cover: Kelsi Barr
news
www.theath.ca
Animals: Friends, Food, or Foe? Mira Chiasson and Mandy Bunten-Walberg Creative Editor & Contributor
“Animals: Friends, Food or Foe” week with a “Wild Side” Coffee house at Just Us Café on November 12th from 6-8 pm, with an exciting lineup of poetry, stories, improvisation, and music, will be a discussion of the role of humans in nature. The purpose of this event is to serve as an inclusive forum for discussion through which participants can develop an appreciation for non-human animals and explore different philosophies regarding our treatment of them. Humans comprise only one species amongst an estimated 8.7 billion diverse life forms on this planet. Everything our species requires to live only exists because other living beings and their interactions create a lifesupporting matrix. In this way, we are intricately linked to every other living creature, and, like every other animal, our survival depends on key natural processes. It is often forgotten that we are and always will be a part of nature. In our fast-paced society it is easy to become disillusioned and imagine that we are separate from nature. We even pride ourselves in being different from animals. The event intends to challenge this notion: How different are we really? Who are animals to us? Are they friends, food, or foe? Now, more than ever, it is becoming increasingly important for humans to reconnect with nature in order to develop a sense of empathy and respect for all living beings and to learn to coexist with nature. In light of
3
ASU election called in wake of resignation Iain Bauer Editor-In-Chief Acadia will be voting in another election as Councillor PJ Diegel has stepped down from his position.
this, it is important for us as a society to reflect upon our relationship with animals and how we should relate to them. On November 13th there will be a screening of “Sharkwater”, a critically acclaimed documentary film from 2006 exploring the myth of the shark as a bloodthirsty killer and delving into the world of one of the planet’s most successful animals. The screening will be followed by a discussion and home-baked snacks, from 7-9pm at the Beveridge Arts Center (BAC), room 241. On November 14th, Acadia welcomes Hope for Wildlife for a public talk. This organization is based out of Seaforth, NS and their
mission includes the rehabilitation and release of injured or orphaned wildlife, public education on the importance of species conservation and research to help develop knowledge about conservation and wildlife management. The talk will be held in the Beveridge Arts Center (BAC), room 132, from 6-8pm. The keynote speaker for this event, Brian Keating, Honorary Conservation Advisor at the Calgary Zoo, and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Calgary University. Mr. Keating gives talks across the world at conferences and special events and is in fairly high demand. He appears regularly on Calgary and Edmonton’s CBC Radio, as well as
Kelsi Barr having appeared many times on the Discovery Channel. Keating is a keen naturalist and adventurer with a long list of awards and achievements (including the 2006 “Canadian Hero of the Year” award from the Reader’s Digest Magazine). The title of Mr. Keating’s talk is “Going Wild”, and will be held at the KC Irving Environmental Science Building (KCIC), on November 15th from 7-9pm. All these events are FREE, and all Acadia students, faculty and staff, as well as Wolfville community members are invited to attend. For more information please contact Mandy (107996b@acadiau.ca) or Mira (102570d@acadiau.ca)
Acadia Students’ Union. The summit began with a “silent conversation” in which students brought up issues and posted notes to talk with one another. The conversation topics included, grad students on campus, the quality of post-secondary education, the potential fall study break, mental health on campus, student safety on campus, student participation, student housing, equality, and many more. The event also saw members from Nova Scotia Students come and offer their input. The topics later formed into discussion groups where students discussed the various topics and discussed how they should be addressed. Matt Rios again claimed, “A true elected official acts on what is important for their constituents. Four of the topics that were suggested are currently our top priority that shows
that we have the right priorities. Meal Hall is a new one.” Indeed, many students involved in the summit were pleased that they felt that student council was addressing their priorities. Many of the conversations were tweeted, and students identified where
they felt their priorities lay. The group was a very small subset of Acadia Students; during the debrief Rios claimed, “The people who come are the right people, the people who came are the people we want. We are going to take all the information we got and
While everyone else was bingeing on candy or booze this Halloween, the Acadia Students’ Union convened for the last SRC meeting of the month. The meeting began with a presentation that covered the Do’s (ignoring them) and Don’ts (anything else) of spam emails. Next, representatives from the timetable committee announced that they had finalized the Fall Break proposal and will be sending it to the Senate for approval. The meeting then moved in-camera after SRC Councilor Patrick-Jordan Diegel asked to step down from his position. Following the closed discussion, the council voted in favour of Diegel’s resignation and immediately moved to open nominations for an urgent by-election to fill the now empty Councilor position. The election will take place on November 22nd, the timing of which violates election laws within the ASU constitution. President Matthew Rios asked the SRC to suspend the rules that would specifically prohibit the timing of this election so that the new Councilor can begin performing the duties of the position before the end of this Fall semester. The request was met without opposition, and the SRC voted in favour of suspending the election laws. The SRC’s Deputy Chair Kathleen Healy expressed concern that it would be really hard to get anyone to vote in this election, and asked for help from all representatives in mobilizing the campus.
Direct democracy? A report from the student life summit Jacob Verhagen News Editor
The Student Life Summit kicked off this year at Fountain Commons on November 2nd, 2013. The Summit is a forum organized by the Acadia Students’ Union in order to involve members of the Acadia student community in their decision making. ASU president Matthew Rios claimed “Two years ago Kyle Power [former VP Academic] and myself were considering how we could get direct feedback, other than elections. We really wanted feedback from students especially since questions about alcohol policy were at the forefront at that time. We wanted students to direct the conversation.” The event is an exercise in public consultation and public engagement on the part of the
we are going to post it and these are going to go straight to the Acadia board of governors.” The summit has grown in popularity with more students attending this summit than ever before.
Acadia Students’ Union
feature
www.theath.ca
4
A genocide at home Jacob Verhagen News Editor What would it mean if a UN expert labelled Canada’s Residential School system a genocidal act? Recently, an expert on the matter penned an open-letter to the visiting UN expert on indigenous peoples asking him to call the residential school system, as well as various other actions aimed at Canada’s First Nations, genocide. The expert’s decision has potentially huge implications for how we discuss Canada’s treatment of indigenous people, or even how we view Canada as a country. United Nations Special Rapporteur for Indigenous rights, James Anaya, visited Canada mid-October. A UN Special Rapporteur is an expert whom the UN Human Rights Council selects to review the human rights situation in member states and to draft a report which both outlines the state of human rights, and provides recommendations for improvement. The Special Rapporteur’s report has heavy political implications as it can then be referred to by other states, human rights advocates, or basically anyone who might need to rely on that report for factual information in the future. The Special Rapporteur concluded his visit and his assessment of Canada’s indigenous rights on October 15th. The Special Rapporteur’s visit comes as the Idle No More movement is once again reinvigorated with the violent clashes occurring over fracking in New Brunswick. The Special Rapporteur’s visit also included visits with highprofile indigenous leaders and visits to local reserves. The Special Rapporteur concluded that, “Canada faces a crisis when it comes to the situation of indigenous peoples of the country.” During Dr. Anaya’s trip an open letter was submitted to him. It asked him to describe Canada’s past episodes of illtreatment of Indigenous Canadians as genocide. The letter came from Bill Farber, the former president of the Canadian Jewish Congress, and is co-signed by Phil Fontaine, Elder Fred Kelly, and Dr. Michael Dan. The letter claims, “We hold that until Canada as represented by its government engages in a national conversation about our historical treatment of the First Nations; until we come to grips with the fact that we used racism, bigotry and discrimination as a tool to not only assimilate First Nations into the Canadian polity but engaged in a deliberate policy of genocide both cultural and physical, we will never heal.” The letter argues that under Article 2 of the 1948 UN convention on genocide, various practices against Canada’s indigenous peoples were genocide. This includes the Residential
School system, some of which were still operating while many Acadia students and faculty were alive. Shubenacadie Residential School, which operated about an hour and a half drive away from Wolfville, was one of them. Nora Bernard attended the school, and 61 years after she first entered its doors would lead the largest successful class action law suit in Canadian History for survivors of the residential school system. “Sexual and physical abuse was not the only abuse that the survivors experienced in these institutions,” Bernard claimed. “Abuses included such things as being incarcerated through no fault of their own; the introduction of child labour; the withholding of proper food, clothing, and proper education; the loss of language and culture; and no proper medical attention.” To understand the claim that institutions such as the Residential School System are acts of genocide, one must understand that “genocide” is defined in the UN Convention as, “any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, such as: Killing members of the group; Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.” Murray Sinclair of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a commission who’s goal is to document and provide witness to the residential
school system in Canada had declared in 2012, “the reality is that to take children away and to place them with another group in society for the purpose of racial indoctrination was—and is—an act of genocide and it occurs all around the world.” Nora Bernard, who had attended the residential school in Nova Scotia, had written that the authorities had informed her parents that did she not send her children to the residential school, that they would be forcibly moved into protective custody by the government. The 2013 letter urges, “The entire residential school system passes the genocide test, in particular if you consider the fact that the Department of Indian Affairs, headed by Duncan Campbell Scott, deliberately ignored the recommendations of Peter Bryce, Canada’s first Chief Medical Officer, regarding the spread of tuberculosis in the schools. Such willful disregard for the basic principles of public health constitutes an act of genocide by omission, if not deliberate commission.” The same Duncan Campbell Scott claimed in 1920, “Our object is to continue until there is not a single Indian in Canada that has not been absorbed into the body politic and there is no Indian question, and no Indian department.” Some have interpreted this statement as a clear indication that the Canadian government did intend to erase indigenous nations from the Canadian public. However, many are not comfortable with the term genocide being used to describe Canada’s state treatment of aboriginals. Sun News Columnist and Canadian pundit personality Ezra Levant wrote “Of course it’s not true. Canada does not and never has had
Canadian BiblioArchives a policy of exterminating Indians. Genocides don’t normally include billions of dollars a year in government grants to the group in question, affirmative action hiring quotas, land reserves and other privileges.” It is understandable why there is much hesitation to categorize the residential school system as genocide, or as a genocidal act. Many in both academia and elsewhere often criticize the comparison to the holocaust, Robert Davis and Mark Zannis, Canadian researchers into the question of genocide, have noted: ‘The argument is sometimes made that to define genocide in terms other than mass homicide is to cheapen its currency and make a mockery of the memory of the millions who died in Hitler’s Holocaust.’” Dr. Sedgewick of Acadia University claimed, “There is a qualitative difference in what the Canadian government thought it was doing and what Hitler thought he was doing and what the Turks were doing to the Armenians. The intent was different, but certainly there is a conversation as to what a genocide is. A conscious effort to erase a population is absolutely in there [in Canada].” Some even today claim that the intent of the residential school system was not the same as other genocides; the system simply does not bear family resemblances to the holocaust or other genocides. “How a lot of people conceive of genocide is that the intent must be malicious. This is where the struggle comes in this debate. This is not in the convention, but it’s certainly important.” The letter to the Special Rapporteur acknowledges comparative genocide
problems as well, “The Holocaust is the undisputed genocide of all genocides, [however], modern historians no longer need to rely on shades of darkness in order to analyze genocide.” The indication being that for an event to be considered genocide, it does not need to be compared to the Holocaust. The very word genocide was the product of the work of scholar, and holocaust survivor, Raphael Lemkin who combined the Greek word Genos (people) and the Latin word Cide (to kill). The term is not to be confused with mass murder; genocide refers to the attempted, or completed, destruction of a defined group of people based solely on being a part of that group. The definition is broader than a mass extermination or mass killing, but symbolizes an attempt to wipe out a group identity. So what does it matter to us if a United Nations Human Rights Expert declares that genocide happened in Canada against the indigenous people? What does it mean to Canadians if genocide occurred here? There is a good chance that if the Special Rapporteur declares the residential school system genocide the United Nations will not take punitive measures against the Canadian State. There will probably be no tribunals as there was at Nuremberg or the former Yugoslavia. However, the symbolism of describing Canada’s treatment of its aboriginal population genocidal is momentous. It means that while we were alive, or at least while our parents and grandparents were alive, there was a coordinated effort to wipe a people off the face of the earth. There was a bureaucratic plan to erase a people out of existence, and its steps were taken here, in Canada. Genocide is heinous because it strikes to the heart of our values of individualism and merit. A genocidal policy ignores individuality; it tells the individual that they are nothing more than the group they belong to. It then goes on to claim that the group must be destroyed. Similarly, it treats a valuable part of someone’s identity as something which must be corrected, whether that is through a school system that attempts to “kill the Indian in the child” or a policy of physically eradicating a group. Genocide is when ideology, when the dream of a Utopic future, or when a grand vision of what a land or soil ought to be, outweighs the rights of individual human beings to self-determination and, ultimately, self-worth. How we tell history is hugely important, and if the United Nations recognized the Residential School System as genocide, then how we view such events will massively change. As Thomas King said, “Once a story is told, it cannot be called back. Once told, it is loose in the world.”
arts
www.theath.ca
5
Let’s do that time warp thing again
set of instructions upon entering that required me to throw rice at the screen, and toast at another point, along with many other activities, it became quite
clear that the showing at the Al Whittle was as committed to this show as other screenings of it were anywhere else. The film was amazing, as it always has been. A film that has no issues with pushing the borders of sexual comfort and often being forward enough to make you feel slightly uncomfortable. The ridiculous p l o t i s complimented by the musical Nathan Kaulback numbers, which add further impossibility to the events unfolding on screen. Tim Curry shines as the standout in the film, as the larger than life Dr. Frank N. Furter. A doctor
from Transsexual Transylvania, he is obsessed with creating the perfect man for… his needs, shall we say. Sporting lingerie and appearing from an elevator in his first scene, Curry leaves a lasting impression and truly brings the film together for the audience. Meatloaf is another who leaves a lasting impression after his brief time on screen, giving the audience a powerful musical number before exiting stage left. Another part of the audience participation is of course, The Time Warp, which is the name of the song and the dance. As the song starts, the audience raises themselves to their feet and as the movie instructs, dances along to the film. There is an inexplicable reason why you find yourself participating in these events, you find yourself wanting to, and the experience of the film is a little more full when you participate. Everyone feels a little downcast with the end of the movie, but as we gather in the lobby and get a chance to talk about the film it pulls us back up again. I loved my experience seeing this film at the Al Whittle theatre and stands out as a highlight as my entire University career.
I would recommend to all readers and skimmers to see this film next year when it comes to the Al Whittle, and if you have not seen it in general, to go out and watch it. Go and be a part of the crowd, yell at the screen, throw toast, and enjoy a movie that deserves its infamous cult status. Halloween above everything else is a personal experience, choosing to dress up, and the activity you choose to do is all part of making the night unique. This viewing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show gave me just that, even though I have seen the movie before. It is perhaps one of the reasons that make University such a powerful experience that gives us memories that last for the rest of our lives. Going out and doing something we have a desire to do, whether it is with friends or just a group of people, leaves a lasting impression in our minds. Halloween is a powerful time of year for this reason, as it gives us multiple opportunities to make memories that we will cherish for the rest of our lives. Immediately we all begin to wonder, how can we make next year even better? Well… maybe we can do that time warp thing again?
disclaimer. I am not a professional, I am a second year university student— my skill set consists of reading and eating. Please feel free to e-mail me whenever you want, about anything you want, and I will answer you to the very best of my ability. I will answer the question(s) you have, but that does not mean that I will have the ‘best’ or the ‘right’ answers. If you are offended by the words slut, whore, cunt, pussy, or any other word belonging in this category, you are going to be offended by my articles. Please know that when I use the words cunt or pussy, I am not trying to be offensive or degrading. I use the words because for me, they are synonymous with vagina (plus my favourite word is
cunt! It is so empowering and final! I love it!). To all the guys reading this, penis = dick = disco stick (depending on how much Lady Gaga I have been listening to). Again, I am not using these with negative connotations in mind. If you read anything that I have written and are offended or think I am full of shit, e-mail me and tell me why! But please say it nicely. If your e-mail starts off along the lines of “You stupid piece of shit, how could you think this…” than I am probably not going to read the rest. Just a heads up. Any name that I use has been changed to protect the anonymity of the people I have had sexual relations with. I have asked if they are okay
with me talking about the shit we do behind closed doors, and they have all agreed, under the condition I do not ever mention them by their real name. So, do not try to creep these great fucks
on Facebook. You are going to find someone who is not them.
Jacob Dawe Staff Writer Halloween, to put it mildly, is a rather ridiculous time of year. Years ago we would dress up with a critical intent to go get candy from our neighbours, eventually graduating to a time where we would dress up, go to parties then to the bar or wherever else you fancied. We carve pumpkins (and put their spice on everything drinkable), spend time with friends, craft costumes that we want to wear, and of course, watch scary movies. This year I walked a different path and was able for the first time able to go see The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Al Whittle theatre. There is an audience participation element to the film, that much I knew from previous viewings, but I had no way of knowing the level of commitment people had in Wolfville. Walking in I was greeted immediately by the sight of costumed and crossdressing filmgoers, some of them dressed as characters from the film and others were dressed as entirely unique characters (Ebony). Given a
Between the sheets with Grace Blyss Grace Blyss Contributor How does one begin to write a university newspaper sex article? I do not have a sweet fucking clue. I am not going to write this pretending I know how to, because it would be very obvious that I do not. There are a lot of issues surrounding sex that do not get enough attention, and when they do, it is usually in a negative light. This column is going to be entirely devoted to talking about anything and everything surrounding sex, from the perspective of a very sexually active twenty-one-year-old female. So you could call this my
Scorched will leave audiences speechless Stephanie Brown Staff Writer Mark your calendars for November 13-23 because The Acadia Theatre Company is performing “Scorched: a story that binds us all”, an awardwinning play written by Wajdi Mouawad. Under the direction of Michael Devine, the theatre students have done an amazing job getting into character and channelling raw emotion that evokes extreme reactions from the crowd, from laughing out loud to crying to being completely shocked. The play follows Janine and Simon, twins in Montreal who are searching for answers after their mother’s death. Their mother
did not speak for five years before she passed away, so the children are angry and upset towards her, not understanding why she was silent for so long. The notary that they meet with to talk about her will tell them about three letters that she left: one to be given to their father, one to be given to their brother and one for them to open once they complete these tasks. Not knowing about having a brother and having thought their father died, they embark on a journey of finding themselves and this new family. At the same time that the audience watches the twins’ lives change as they go through stages of anger, hurt and realization, there are flashbacks of their mother, Nawal, as she grows up
in Lebanon. Nawal is played by three different actresses, symbolizing her different ages which is very effective. Nawal’s story is intriguing; she falls in love and has a child at the young age of 15 who she must give up if she wishes to still be welcome in her family. Her grandmother makes Nawal promise to learn how to read and write and upon her grandmother’s death she leaves the village to become more educated. The audience watches her search for her son with her friend Sawda, encountering violence that is symbolic of the Lebanese Civil War in 1978-1982. What follows is the story of how Nawal is eventually arrested, experiencing horror and evil within the prison and her eventual release
and encounter with the two children she had in the prison. This part of the story should be seen not told, so I urge you to go and see what happens for yourself. The journey of Nawal as she encounters violence and trauma that we cannot even imagine is very emotional to watch and the conclusion will stun you into silence, a silence that is sewn throughout the story as truths are uncovered. Michael Devine explained that the biggest challenges for the actors were embracing a culture that they were not used to as Canadians, and the emotional imagination for them to portray these characters. Michael said that this story speaks to everyone who has a family, because families are torn apart for
Send any questions, submissions, or complaints to graceblyss@gmail.com.
Anjuli Ripley
different reasons and this story is about a family finding itself. This play is a must-see. It is directed and acted so well that you often forget you are watching a play. It often feels like you are in the story with the characters. The story is about love, family, trauma and resilience. I was present for the runthrough without full costumes or props and the emotions that I experienced then showed me that the full theatre production will be amazing. Take advantage of the opportunity to see an award winning play acted out by Acadia students who have embraced the play and its characters fully. Tickets for the play are only $10 for students, $12 for adults and can be bought at the door or at the Acadia Box Office.
3.indd 1
creative
www.theath.ca
6
Estuary
calls for submissions Ceileigh Mangalam Contributor Estuary, Acadia’s Creative Arts Magazine, is calling for submissions.
wolfville
nova scotia
canada
If you have a creative itch that you have not yet scratched this year, then Estuary offers some relief in the form of a deadline. Estuary is Acadia’s outlet for all artists and writers, and publishes three issues a year: two online, and one in print. Our first semester deadline to submit is November 10th at midnight, and we would love your creative submissions! We are looking for poetry, prose, visual art (digital included!), music and anything else you come up with. Email estuary@acadiau. ca to submit or ask questions, and visit www.acadiau.ca/estuary for guidelines. Though we accept pieces on all subjects, we are especially looking for creative submissions with the theme of acceptance and equality. Given the elevated conversation throughout Maritime universities about issues of equality in campus and youth spheres, we want to hear your creative take on or response to these issues. Email estuary@acadiau.ca with any questions.
Dinner By Sarah Williams The rough skin of the chicken Compressed Oppressed Under cellophane wrap
Nov em b e r 13
17, 2013
Devour! The Food Film Fest is an international festival celebrating cinema, food and wine culture. The five-day festival takes place in the culinary epicenter of Nova Scotia – the Town of Wolfville.
Gallus gallus domesticus The words echo A residue of what once was Life Its pock marked skin Draped across the carcass As if a damp rag Sealed with a thin film of Saran Wrap Suffocated As I, Homo sapiens, breathe a sigh Its innards were clearly yanked out Before the heartless, gaping chasm Was stuffed with organs That belonged, in their lifetime, to other chickens. A beating heart replaced with a Static one For soups and for gravy Was exquisitely executed Neatly contained The chicken lies in purgatory On my countertop, Prepared for its final incarnation. I unwrap him from the plastic casing Sharp knives and the fires below are waiting.
13-10-17 1:22 PM
creative
www.theath.ca
7
Good advice, hmm. Don’t do... Wait, I mean, Try to... What I’m trying to say is... Okay, Okay, Bad advice! If you’re like me You won’t learn from your parent’s mistakes. and you’ll probably try everything once, Okay... Twice And you may hurt people but you know, You’ll probably survive and it’ll probably get better.. and if it doesn’t well, Find some good advice!
Erin Anderson
My friend David has been living in Dartmouth with those good ‘ol boys, those hard old boys... And you know, he was buying smokes. A daily routine for many of us, and wouldn’t you guess it! He bumped smack into death. Death was mildly perturbed and picked up his groceries, (he doesn’t really need them) silently going on his way.
Now imagine my surprise, when, innocently smoking in a graveyard, I came across death! I mustered up my courage, red faced and stammering I asked him: “Why, why are you troubling my friend?”
e You are mor of bones han a body w
t
Death calmly looked through me with a colourless no-smell and remarked,
If you’re wondering about David, he’s long gone by now. Hopped on a greyhound to Halifax - disconnected his phone, sleeps under bridges, that kind of thing...
“I wasn’t trying to scare your friend, Jack. I was simply surprised to see him so far away when we have an appointment in Halifax.” Sensing that I now seemed perturbed, death kindly lit my cigarette and went on his way. Rachel Houlton
By Kelsi Barr
You are stronger than the spine that allows you to stand, or the ribs that enclose your heart. Your skin is thicker than the delicate veins running beneath lead you to believe. Your name holds more meaning than simply the letters that make it up. Your spirit is filled with more light than the stars that speckle the blackened sky, or the streetlights to guide home a lost soul. The vibrations in your voice tell more than just the words that are spoken through it. You are more than what you possess; money cannot buy what you are. You are the pigment in a rainbow to signify the ending of a storm. Your potential reaches further than your job title. Your dreams are more than just a false reality to be awoken from. Your life is more than just years along an infinite timeline, it is made up of moments that change the course of history and validate a life. You will not grow weaker as the years go by; you will be enriched, growing and expanding, much like a tree with many more branches and leaves. Eventually, you will be somebody’s home; their trusses to hold them up, their shingles to protect from the rain, and their door to a new future. You are more than what you can fathom; more than a name, more than a body, more than a voice. See, you are more than a body full of bones. Kelsi Barr
opinions
www.theath.ca
8
Cheap-ass, rat bastards Eliza McGuire Sports Editor
The topic of student housing in Wolfville makes me a little cranky. I do not like bullies, and that is exactly what the landlords, as a whole, are. They take advantage of those who either know no better or have no other option—often both. Believe it or not, the concept of yearly leases like we have in Wolfville is not the norm. While it is possible to get them, most places rent out on a month-to-month basis, or sign 3-6 month leases. In all the other places I have lived in British Columbia with my summer jobs, everything has been on a month-by-month basis. In Halifax I know people who have 8 month leases (which is perfect for students). Here in Wolfville, it is almost the exact opposite; we get screwed on both ends of the lease. I operate on a value basis. I care less about price and more about what I am getting for it. I have no problem buying a $100 pair of jeans if it means those jeans will last for a long time (still looking good, mind you) instead of buying four pairs of $25 pairs of jeans that will wear out quickly. When I look for value in Wolfville, I find very
little because the landlords know that they have a monopoly on the market. Students needing places to stay find themselves stuck between a rock and a hard place. Whether or not the oncampus lifestyle suits you, staying in Residence includes the meal hall factor, which is both expensive and of poor value (unless you are someone—not mentioning any football teams—who eats multiple plates of food at each sitting). In the one year I spent on meal plan, I must admit that the limitless
chocolate milk was a huge plus, as was not having to do dishes. That said, these pluses are not worth the $4,000 of costs incurred, hence why those of us who are frugal race to get off campus... Right into the hands of the landlord mafia. We are willing to pay for a year when only using the house for eight months. Subletting? Given my druthers, I would rather not be responsible for the damage someone else does. They have no reason to
Anjuli Ripley leave the place clean, and the smell of pot takes a surprisingly long time to dissipate. As does the smell of cat piss in carpets. Oh, and if you need to have the landlord fix anything, hopefully you can hold your breath for a few months, because they are cheap-ass, rat bastards and will take any chance they get to take advantage of the tenants by claiming damage deposits unjustly. But again, there is no other option, so into the lion’s den we go, hoping to come out without lung infections from black
culture of consumption. After having a particularly intense session I came up with an impression I could not exactly quantify. Well, maybe it was more of a hallucination—a parade of students in my mind’s eye animalistically satiating
the politics department—it all made sense. The strangely emphatic drive against bottled water communicated by idealistic students fell into place, as a dark grotesque puppetry of unknown power relations. It is going to take a lot
mold or a severe dent in the pocket book from exorbitant rent. But I am just a student, right? What ever could I do to stop this vicious cycle? Get educated. Actually read your lease (preferably before signing it). Talk to people who have lived off campus and know who is a fair landlord (they do exist in Wolfville, I know because I have had them), and who should be avoided. Know your rights and be aware of Tenant’s court—this is possibly your greatest asset when dealing with an unreasonable landlord. In Tenant’s court, there will be a dispute officer who will interpret the Residential Tendency Act in order to solve controversy between you and your landlord. For example, if you feel you were unfairly evicted or charged, this is where you would bring your complaints. You could also ask for repairs here if your landlord is dragging their feet, or seek compensation for damages done to your property from their negligence. This is just another system, and if you are here at university chances are you learned how to work at least one other. If this sounds like too much work, there is another option: keep that cute little blindfold tied snug over your eyes. Instead of resisting, just bend over a little bit more to make it easier for them to screw you even harder.
A bottled conspiracy Peter LaMarre Staff Writer I have to confess: I am a bottled water aficionado. I can get three from the convenience store for 0.99 cents. What a deal! This is much cheaper than those pretentious reusable containers. Considering the convenience and my absent-mindedness, it is a very pragmatic solution to my daily hydration needs. Bottled water encourages me to go on bike rides and nature adventures. My love for it has generalized to other parts of my life—I find myself better able to open up emotionally to my friends and family. I wake up in the morning and I rejoice, for with the help of bottled water, anything is possible. Unfortunately, I do not find myself surrounded by like-minded peers. I have vivid memories of an entire table of politics students turning on me with a collective fury when I confessed my shameful, burning passion for these plastic containers. Emotionally charged arguments abounded, and I felt distinctly concerned for my physical safety. I started to receive hostile stares from people on campus I did not recognize. Sometimes people call me at three in the morning and hang up without saying anything. But these things did not bother me. That is, until
I got a hint of what was actually going on. What I started to noticed was the strange reaction I got from people when I found the courage to breach the topic. A subtle look in the eye, an emotional flash—I knew there was something deeper than their indignation. Little did I realize that I was on the cusp of discovering a conspiracy deeply embedded in the very flesh of Acadia. I was assured by proponents in the bottled water camp that the raw consumption of plastic would decrease, that a necessity like water should not be a commodity. This is all mindless thinking on their part. Personally I suspect that the lead in the drinking foundations is causing fundamental errors in reasoning among the environmentally concerned. But I am getting ahead of myself. It was not until I stumbled across more evidence that the pieces of this conspiracy began to fit together. Thanks to one of those happy coincidences in life, I happened to have been doing a little bit of scientific research on my own time. I am actively engaged in using a using a combination of binomial frequencies, strobe lights and sleep deprivation to correlate meaningful relationships within television static about our
themselves on a dark fluid that flowed from the vacant staring gaze of Ray Ivany, staining the very essence of their being. Imagine my horror when Acadia admitted to poisoning our drinking fountains. My long held doubts blossomed into conviction. The unwarranted arguments, hostility from
poverty are aggravated by our trading and consumption practices. Making small changes, like using tap water are important. We try to do what we can, or at least so we say, but the same impulse can be interpreted as merely alleviating a guilty conscience, jumping on a bandwagon for the quickly passing rebellion of our early 20s. Not to mention that sustainable images are often projected by irresponsible corporations. As you progress through your university education, you may find many of your old ideas challenged, and others to subscribe to for the first time. It is important to be careful though—it is one thing to buy into the idea of fair trade, it is quite another when Starbucks or McDonalds sells it back to you. I am going as far to say that Acadia is somehow involved in poisoning your drinking water— perhaps the trace amounts of lead are actually some kind of mind control delta project for the powers that Nathan Kaulback be. Regardless of the validity of my more sleep deprivation before I figure intuitions, it seems our water is as this out—but let me leave you with a dirty as our hands. I am doing my thought: part by taking my environmentalism As far as unsustainable practices with a grain of salt and diligently go, we are all guilty. The majority emailing safety and security when I see of goods we consume—from our subversive elements of social control clothing to food to electronics, come surfacing on campus. I just can not from profoundly unequal systems. shake the feeling that I am not doing Environmental degradation and human enough—can you?
opinions
www.theath.ca
9
Throwing stones from my glass house community. It is important to keep in mind that this usually entails a criminal record. Personally, I prefer a “I will call you when I need you” relationship with the police. Any legal issue aside, what students have to realize is that our behaviour is often inappropriate. It is possible to colourfully imagine us as a chaotic herd of greenbacks trampling the community during our seasonal migration. Local people have legitimate reasons for their low opinions of us. What they have to come to terms with is the problem behaviour comes from a minority of students and is not indicative of the student population as a whole. And there are still things you can do. It is important to stand up to people who have rapidly lost perspective on what is appropriate. On the other hand, you may know the reality of trying to reason with a drunk. It is important to keep tabs on your friends and not lose them in the
peter laMarre staff writEr We have all heard about the “student problem.” If you have not, it is probably you! Locals and landlords point out the noise and carelessly destructive practices of our transient and often drunken population. Students on the other hand are likely to point out, albeit arrogantly, that the town is financially dependent on us. They accuse local people of benefiting from a student town without acknowledging the inevitable problems that come with it. Beyond that, many landlords cynically abuse their position to maximize profit. It is best to euphemistically understand them as “slum lords.” It seems to me the reality of our situation falls somewhere in between these accusations. If you are a student, you are probably familiar with shoddy patch jobs, disturbingly fragile staircases, and absentee landlords (not to mention signing a year-long lease 6 months in advance). Of course, there are many other owners who care about the property and are generally fair. There are locals who find themselves rightly bothered by excessive noise, littering and destruction of property. There are others who call noise complaints in at 6 PM and sue the student newspaper for it’s now former motto: “Pissing off prudes.” Unfortunately, the law is not known for it’s subtle appreciation of irony. Before I get too indignant about the whole situation, I reflect fondly back onto my adolescence. I can euphemistically describe my actions as “situationally-based, antisocial behaviour, lacking psychopathic tendencies.” Though this may sound more like a diagnostic psychiatric description, I can assure you that despite years of counselling I have effectively avoided any official diagnosis. There are rumours about theft and destruction of property that I cannot confirm or deny due to unsettled legal disputes. I am not proud of my behaviour. I was angry and young and, most of all, a typical male. Unfortunately, I have been socialized to vent my aggression physically rather than through interpersonal relationships like the gentler gender. Years later, when my bike gets destroyed or someone trashes the hallway underneath my apartment, I see it in someways as the proactive and often arbitrary nature of karma for the misdeeds of my lifetime. I would also like to point out that I have pro-social tendencies as well. I volunteer in the community, talk to strangers, and build inuksuit. I have repeatedly lured homeless people out of the cold and into my home with cigarettes and whiskey. Hours of great conversation ensure, despite my often
dismayed roommates. I will generally put myself out of my comfort zone and into personal danger if the situation requires it. I take pride in my apartment and try to treat it like it was my home. My safe, messy home. I wish the destruction in town fell under the same young impulse. How easy it would be if we could simply blame those troublesome scooter kids who ride around town—the 5% of the adolescent male population who take up 90% of the police’s time. However, I suspect the real trouble comes from a minority of people within our own age range. For people first discovering alcohol, there is a very real impulse to revel in the wanton destruction of complete drunken freedom. There are long standing traditions at university for destroying residences that may have been curbed in recent years, but still surface from time to time. I have found the party atmosphere at Acadia to be relatively safe. People generally take care of each other, and there is significantly less violence here than my memories of growing up in Ontario. There is also a very large, mostly unspoken problem with sexual assault and excessive alcohol abuse. Many students come from sheltered homes and are experimenting with alcohol for the first time in university. It is easy to fall out of your depth and lose sight of your sobriety entirely. In the morning you might be left with a few distinct memories and what can be filled in by the people you still hope are your friends. It is important to keep tabs on people who fall in this category because unfortunately, some men (and women) are predatory.
Kelsi Barr Alcohol abuse for me is more of a grey area. Personally, I think it is meant and marketed to be abused on some level. I rarely drink, but when I do, it is definitely more than one per hour. I am not trying to downplay how devastating alcoholism can be for everyone involved. I am just pointing out that almost everybody falls on both sides of the use/abuse spectrum. I think what is important to realize is that the worst behaviour comes not from people who party. It is a small minority of people within that group. On some level, you just have to deal with it. Alcohol makes people aggressive and generally shuts down the ‘ol frontal lobe. We have agreed as a society that some harmful behaviours are not only tolerated, but are normative. Think about your diet, or the level of stress you are regularly under. Do not forget about driving too fast, putting off exercise or taking unnecessary risks in sport or recreation. And there is always smoking or that smiling doctor helping you transition from use to abuse in a pharmacopeian paradise. What this means is that we need to work together to create relatively safe environments for these behaviour and to limit the resulting harm. This is much better for our community that is indignantly villainizing individuals who go to extremes and expecting rational, sober behaviour at the bar. If you missed your chance to be an idiot when you were young, you are welcome to explore the multifaceted world of anti-social behaviour right here in Wolfville. Of course, you are also welcome to enjoy a healthy, personal relationship with the various police officers around our fine
bar. If you are uncomfortable with directly confronting someone, leave. Silently watching something you do not agree with not only supports those actions, but is rather cowardly. If nothing changes, I am not going to expect something dramatic like the thin veneer of civilization stripping off humanity leaving a wake of chaos and destruction... No, I will keep that mad hope for myself. I expect relationships to strain. People will not trust each other as much, municipal governments will pass unfortunate by-laws. Students will continue to disrespect their community and locals will become increasingly over-sensitive. The alternative is not a new or radical idea. People can have a little more awareness and care towards each other inside and outside of the bar scene. You may find yourself being able to trust strangers. And if you do get too drunk, someone might help you instead of calling the police.
Emma Gavey PhD candidate in Chemistry. Goals: Develop new magnetic complexes for memory devices. Improve our health care.
Apply for Graduate Studies at Brock. There are 44 programs, an array of specializations, co-op opportunities and a world of possibilities. discover.brocku.ca
For both sides of the brain. Brock University | Niagara | Canada
opinions
www.theath.ca
10
Groundswell sentiments Sarah Williams Staff Writer Do you enjoy the view of the Annapolis Valley, whether it be from your back porch, the look off, or possibly meal hall? With great reason, this beautiful area has been treasured for ages, drawing visitors and locals alike to imbibe the sweet fruits of this bountiful region. Yet, beneath the top soil and the clay, there lies a different reality. There, a far grittier truth resides than that of the bucolic world above. It is from this part of the valley, below, that we derive our drinking water. It is the home atop which we rest, day and night, as well as the brooding ground for much plant life, agricultural or otherwise. Because our life above ground is dependent on the life below ground, it is important for students to become engaged in, and aware of, the current issues surrounding fracking in the Maritimes. This is a practise that causes serious detriment to the environment from the ground up. Certainly, it is our right, as well as our responsibility, to be mindful of local environmental issues. Through the ages, and in different places, students have been progenitors of social change. From protesting the Vietnam War, to more the more recent protests in N.B., youth protestors’ impassioned pleas have echoed through the air waves. Their causes have been plastered on billboards and the web alike. Now, we are the youth, and the time to make noise is now. Whether you are from this area or not, in a fundamental way, the Annapolis Valley is home for the time that you spend here. From the centre of the Earth up, this little patch of land is partially ours. And, as such, it is our responsibility to be mindful of it, and even help take care of it. This is a sentiment that was echoed by the Dalhousie Student’s Union, in their attempt to put together a bus of students to travel to the protests that recently occurred in Rexton, New Brunswick. Though they never ended up renting a bus due to an escalation in violence at the protest site, there is much to be said for their intentions in doing so. Their attempt at coordinating a trip to Rexton pays heed to the fact that we can be actively involved in the environment around us, if we so choose. As some may know, exploratory fracking took place in Nova Scotia between 2007 and 2009. During this time, Triangle Petroleum drilled five vertical exploratory wells in Hants County. Three of those wells were fracked. Though this project is now halted due a two year moratorium on fracking in this province it is still generating palpable environmental problems. One such problem is proper disposal of wastewater contaminated
with chemicals and radioactive elements. Apparently, Triangle Petroleum holds “petroleum rights” of a 1920 square kilometre area that spans from Maitland to Wolfville. Most
body? Or, is that something that is just not part of our psyche, as a whole? I think that is a rather subjective question, only because it depends
of this area skirts the Minas Basin, according to nofrac.wordpress.com. The current moratorium on fracking has an expiry date, and one can only imagine what could potentially happen to this area when fracking is allowed here again. Throughout the world, there are many people who are adamantly against fracking. Certainly, there would appear to be multiple environmental detriments associated with such an invasive practise. So, why is our campus seemingly so sleepy in regards to an environmental issue that has such local resonances? To shed some light on the issue, I contacted the president of the Acadia Student’s Union, Matthew Rios, with some questions about the political/activism inclinations of students at Acadia.
on how you describe ‘politically active.’ For example we have some of the highest voting turnout in the country during our Student Union general elections (30-40% compared to St. FX’s 15-20%, and even lower at other schools across the country). We also have a lot of students who are politically engaged in community outreach and activism. Recently we had over 300 students vote in advanced polls with about another 200 voting on election day itself. So I would argue that yes we do have a politically active and engaged community, but it takes many shapes and forms.
1) Recently, the Dalhousie Student’s Union attempted to facilitate a trip to Rexton, NB, to attend the fracking protest. Was there any such desire to do the same at Acadia? If not, why do you think that is? There was certainly a lot of interest in the protests occurring in Rexton, but to my knowledge there was no formal request to organize a trip. Even if there was, our primary concern would be the safety of our students and whether or not this would be putting them in harm’s way. I know that ISSA (Indigenous Students Society at Acadia) was extremely interested in organizing a local demonstration of support to those in Rexton, and the ASU would certainly support them in that endeavour. 2) Do you think Acadia should be more politically active, as a student
3) How would you describe the protest spirit at Acadia? There is a long history of student protests; students marching in solidarity with faculty during the strike in 2007, to the day of action that sees over 300 students march (usually in snow) to advocate for better access for post-secondary [education]. I truly believe that we are a community that looks out for one another. We are a community who that is morally conscious and know that if the circumstances called for it you would see solidarity amongst students. 4) How aware of local environmental issues do you think we are? Should we even care? There a number of examples that I have seen during my studies here that show our campus is environmentally conscious. From students pushing to go tray-less in meal hall, to students running the Acadia Farm, and more recently with the Environmental Sustainability office hosting a
regional conference discussing the environment, with Elizabeth May presenting. I think students here at Acadia are extremely engaged with environmental issues. That being said
I think there is always more we can do; this is our planet and we need to be stewards for it.
Cully Simpson
CHOOSE YOUR CERTIFICATE ADVERTISING – MEDIA MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION EVENT MANAGEMENT FASHION MANAGEMENT & PROMOTIONS FINANCIAL PLANNING GLOBAL BUSINESS MANAGEMENT HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT MARKETING MANAGEMENT PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
APPLY NOW!
POSTGRADUATE CERTIFICATES business.humber.ca/postgrad
AT ITS VERY BEST
science
www.theath.ca
11
Reliable information about MDMA Peter LaMarre Staff Writer
MDMA, or Ecstasy, has a fairly persistent presence Wolfville, and an even larger one in Halifax. This article does not condemn or condone recreational drug use, but operates on a harm-reductionist philosophy that seeks to address a real behaviour that is found in our community in a pragmatic and effective way. If you pay attention to what we are talking about at Acadia throughout the year you are probably familiar with discussions revolving around alcohol use and abuse. However, rarely is there any discussion about the many other drugs that are present in the community and town. Many high achieving individuals often go against expectations and abuse pharmaceutical drugs such as Adderall, recreationally or academically. Many other people are familiar with MDMA and cocaine . It was not until I came to Acadia that I encountered anyone who had tried heroin. Acadia has a zero policy tolerance for such substances and will not hesitate to expel/involve the police with anyone who decides to use/store/sell these drugs on campus. However, there is a real hesitation around giving any reliable information about how to use narcotics safely. A good example of why access to information is important happened a few years ago, when there were some dangerous ecstasy pills circulating around town. Although Acadia issued a campus wide email, there was no meaningful description of the pills (i.e. the pattern). Although the warning was well-intentioned, it could have been much more effective. If information was given to identify the pills, people who do choose to take Ecstasy would have been able to avoid them. Simply saying that there are dangerous pills in the area will not deter the people who are already taking the drug. MDMA is an illegal and uncontrolled substance. To give you an idea, the pills analyzed by EcstasyData.org in 2013 registered 26.5% containing pure MDMA, 33.7% containing no MDMA at all, and 25% cut with some kind of a stimulant. This means if you buy MDMA it is probably cut with something, especially if it is pressed into pills. This translates into a chance of you ingesting drugs that you did not intend to or a filler substance that is potentially harmful. There are many strategies that are possible to safeguard against unintentionally being harmed if you decide to take MDMA. • Almost all injuries related to MDMA come from dehydration. Drink water, and have “cool down” periods when you dance.
• Try not to take pills from random people, find a source you trust and try to buy exclusively from them (Due to the illegal nature of the substance and the unreliable nature of drug dealers, this is not always possible). • Pay attention to the patterns that appear in your local area and ask other users about their experiences with them. • F i n d t h e p a t t e r n o n t h e pill on the inter net and find information and user experiences. • Decide before you start drinking how much MDMA you are going to take. • Do not take MDMA if you have a Heart Condition or are pregnant. • C h e c k f o r w h a t k i n d o f reactions MDMA has with any medication you are taking. • Buy a pill testing site off the internet. Actually check your MDMA before you take it. The biggest risk of taking MDMA is the resulting dehydration that comes from endless hours of sweaty, sweaty dancing. It is a good idea to drink a bottle of water every hour and to start drinking water a few hours before you start dancing. Also remember that drinking too much water too quickly can cause hyponaetremia, which is
when your water and electrolytes get out of balance. This can be just as dangerous and actually aggravate heat strokes. Below are some warning signs that you are dangerously overheated from dancesafe.org: 1. Failure to sweat. 2. Cramps in the legs, arms and back. 3. Giddiness, dizziness, headache, fatigue. 4. Vomiting. 5 . Fa i n t i n g o r l o s s o f consciousness. 6. Suddenly feeling really tired, irritable and confused. Paying attention to your own state and the people around you really makes a difference for the safety o f yo u r s e l f a n d o t h e r people. Unfortunately there is a popular saying: “It is not a party until someone o ve r d o s e s.” T h i s c a n definitely be avoided and does not add any particular mystique to your Friday night. If anything, the only thing it involves is ambulances and police officers. There are several internet resources you can use to find safe and reliable drug information. EcstasyData.org, Erowid.
“The consistent collection and publication of this information is an important part of developing a foundation for appropriate public policies and emergency medical responses. The information is useful for families, teachers, lawyers, users, news agencies, law enforcement, and any other group that needs to know what is in [various narcotics] which are increasingly available throughout the world.” C o i n c i d e n t a l l y, t h i s information is quite helpful to those who choose to take the drugs as well. If you do decide to take MDMA, remember that you have a responsibility to yourself and your friends to be careful. It is also recommended that you have fun and dance (even if you can not dance, you will have fun trying to). Providing safe information is one way our community can help decrease the harm surrounding drug use. Abstinence programs have shown to be ineffective and aggravate harm. As well, barring scientific improvement there is no known cure for death. Acknowledging and providing for the various Nathan Kaulback realities in our community, org, and dancesafe.org are three regardless of our own personal moral possibilities. These sources have a stance on them, can only provide a simple philosophy: positive influence for those living here.
sports
www.theath.ca
12
Axemen off to the AUS championships sarah MacKinnon staff writEr The Acadia Axemen are off to the AUS championships after a thrilling win over UPEI. The Axemen knew they had to either win or tie the game in order to qualify, and they did just that with a 2-1 victory that nabbed them the last spot for playoffs. Captain Erik Merchant took a hit to the head, which resulted in him leaving to get stitches. Shortly after, the Panthers scored, putting them up 1-0. Merchant returned for the second half and scored minutes later, clearly raising team morale. The other team captain, Zach Shaffelburg, got a penalty shot after being taken down and converted,
putting the Axemen up 2-1. The Panthers pushed toward the end of the match, getting a few opportunities, but were unable to score. Andrew Snyder, a second year player for the Axemen, was the AUS Rookie of the Year last season and described the game as pretty special. It sent the Axemen to the championships for the first time since the program returned 7 years ago, after being cut. Head coach Findlay MacRae has been building the program since its return and after a disappointing season last year, the players are reaping the benefits. The team was ranked CIS #10 early last season with 3 straight wins, and then two losses and a tie. Snyder described the bad luck that plagued the team last season, with other teams using ineligible players, which effected
Eric Cederberg
Tigers edge Axewomen in home opener 25-18. This year’s Axewomen squad is noticeably young with two of their starters on Friday night being rookies and two more being second year players. Tessa Bulmer is a first year player in the program who started the first AUS match of her career as setter registering 22 assists. “Friday was definitely an exciting game, especially as a first year athlete. I have always wanted to play in the AUS and have been eager for our season to start. There were definitely some first game nerves on my end, but as the game went on they faded. The team is very supportive of one another, which helped me to relax during the match. Even though we may not have won, I feel as though we have an exciting season ahead of us and with this group of athletes we can accomplish a lot.” Senior players Kristen Bolduc and Eric Cederberg set but Dalhousie crept back up late Meg Rector led the team with seven making it a challenge. The third set kills each and rookie Sarah Ross went to Dalhousie as well, finishing at finished with six. Third year Hillary
powerful attackers. Acadia lost the first set 25-14 although they exhibited excellent moments of offence on their own end. The second set was a battle The Acadia Axewomen volleyball reaching extra points and resulting in a team began their 2013-2014 season disappointing win for Dalhousie 30-28. Friday night with a tough loss to Acadia had led for the majority of the
sarah MacKinnon staff writEr
Dalhousie. The defending AUS champions came out strong in the first set showing their offence with their
Monnette was the starting libero on Friday and said that despite the loss, she believes that it was a great start to the season. She thinks her team showed that they have a lot of potential and it is only going to get better as the season progresses. The second set definitely exhibited the potential that Hillary spoke of, and now that the jitters are out it will be interesting to see how the Axewomen do in their next game, Wednesday October 30th versus the St.Mary’s Huskies. Out of
the standings. This season, the team has been working hard and a couple of key recruits have contributed to the team’s success as well, explained Snyder. As for the championships this coming weekend, the Axemen will first face off against the Dalhousie Tigers. Snyder explains the team is very excited and looking forward to playing against the Tigers, who they have had two good match-ups against this season. Acadia won the first 2-0 and tied the second 1-1. If the team defeats Dalhousie they will play UNB in the semi-finals. Three senior players were honoured in the game versus UPEI last Saturday for their four years at Acadia—Erik Merchant, Eric Ross, Zach Shaffelburg, and Eric McGarry.
the two times they played the Huskies last season, they played five sets and four sets. Coach Wood is entering her second season with the program and has eight returning players from last season. Although the team is young there are key leaders such as team captain Kristen Bolduc, Meg Rector, Hillary Monette, and Bri Rector. Support the Axewomen as they take on St. Mary’s on Monday and then when they return home after games on the road on November 16th versus Memorial.
Axemen improve to 4-1 sarah MacKinnon staff writEr The Acadia Axemen defeated the Dalhousie Tigers Wednesday night in front of a crowd of approximately 1100. The Axemen bumped up to a CIS #8 rank last week and with a win over the AUS #8 ranked Tigers, they improved to a 4-1 record. Tyler Ferry, a first year player for the Axemen, opened the scoring at 12:38 of the first period with a wrist shot from Leo Jenner who picked up the assist. The Axemen dominated the scoring chances early in the first with it taking the Tigers about ten minutes into the period to register a shot on goal. At the end of the first the Axemen had 17 shots on goal, while Dalhousie only had 4. In the second
period the Tigers started generating more chances on net but it was the Axemen who managed to convert, once again on a power play, with just over four minutes of hockey played in the period. Mike Cozzola got the goal with the assists going to Christopher Owens and Liam Heelis. Just three minutes later Acadia scored again, this time off the stick of Liam Heelis, with the assists going to Brett Thompson and Mike Cozzola. The third period demonstrated undisciplined play from both sides with many penalties, including 3 tenminute misconducts from each team, and a number of minor penalties after a scuffle at 7:41. Twenty seconds before this scuffle, Liam Heelis picked up his second goal of the night with the assists once again going to Mike Cozzola and Brett Thompson. Liam Heelis finished off the hat trick
on the power play with an assist going to Mike Cozzola. In total, Dalhousie had 54 penalty minutes compared to Acadia’s shocking 64. Acadia rookie goaltender Brandon Glover stopped 27 of 27 shots to pick up his first win of the season as well as a shut out and Dalhousie goaltender Wendell Vye stopped 45 of 50 shots. The win moved the Axemen into a tie for first place in the AUS with the UNB Varsity Reds who have a game in hand. Liam Heelis now leads the league with 10 points and Mike Cozzola sits right behind him with 8. Brandon Glover received third star of the game for his shutout and Mike Cozzola received the second star. With the hat trick the first star of the game went to Liam Heelis. Acadia takes on St. Mary’s for their next two games in the season, at home Friday the 1st and on the road November the 7th.
HERBIN Jewellers Since 1885
453 Main St. Wolfville 542-5705 800 580-2881
www.herbinjewellers.com